Recreational & Family - Need suggestions for a new bike

Hi All--

I'm finally in the market for a new bike. I've been riding a Novara Metro C since I was about 11. I'm 19 now and it's time to upgrade. For the most part I do bike path/around city/ some light off road riding, both local and long distance 20+ mile rides. I'm a female, weigh about 120, 5'1.

I like the idea of a hybrid since that's what I have right now but I'm having a tough time finding a new bike that doesn't have the infernal dropped or step over top tube. I want a regular bike, with a regular top tube, but men's bikes in my frame size (17" or maybe 18") tend to be too long in the top tube.

So I started thinking about looking at mountain frames and swapping the tires out for "city" tires unless I plan to seriously offroad that day. Is this a terrible idea?

My budget is probably $500 and under. I took a look at the Kona Lanai and Fire Mountain and they seemed like really nice bikes for that price range. Also looked at the trek 4300 and 4500.

Anyone own one of these bikes and can tell me anything about it? or know of any hybrid or mountain bikes that would be good for me to check out?

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum,I'm new too.I've also been lookin' at bikes for my big sister as well as JUST ordering my own. I'm not familiar with the models you stated.I won't take the time to click on them to compare. You don't need me to critique them anyway. Click on TERRY,the Susan B. is a hybrid,that bike has components thtI'd settle for and it's within your range.Gals are more dif.(different AND difficult )to fit.My sister's present bike doesn't siut her so well.I can't determine EXACTLY why.Terry bikes are well designed.The site is informative,Ive seen shops that'll send them for 50 bucks,built,you'd be buyin' blind if you couldn't test-ride it,it's not a bad risk though.I'd also click -on the Jamis and Bianchi sites,they're simple and informative.All the brands ,svae Terry,I've ridden or tested.It may come down to which is available locally.You read about these bikes to compare with your choices

Check out Fuji or Giant Bikes. They have frame sizes as small as 14" - 15" with traditional (men's) top tube placement.

Hi All--

So I started thinking about looking at mountain frames and swapping the tires out for "city" tires unless I plan to seriously offroad that day. Is this a terrible idea?

Thanks in advance!

Hi FTF! I am a guy, but I intend on doing the same type of riding as you. I am also torn between a hybrid or a mountain bike with slicker tires. I have been trying the search function here for "hybrid versus mountain bike" but the search function is down. Hopefully we will get some opinions from others!

I don't know anything about the bikes that you are looking at (and I'm just learning the ropes myself), so I can't help you there. Fwiw though, this is the bike that I am currently looking at (and looking for input regarding):
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=288730

Good luck!

Wayne

I rode a cityfied mountain bike for a number of years, and recently replaced it with a Cannondale Bad Boy. The Bad Boy is more of a rigid mountain bike on road wheels & tires than it is a hybrid. Compared to what I had been riding, the Bad Boy is faster & easier, and also a better climber, much of which is due to its lighter wheels and stiffer frame. While a Bad Boy is available in a 13 inch frame, it's a little more spendy than you mentioned. Trek's SU100 and SU200 sit on 26 inch wheels rather than 700C, but are a similar frame style, and are available in 13 inch frames as well, and are in your desired price range. The Specialized Globe is a similar style.

Another style to consider is the fitness hybrid, which has a more athletic riding position than a conventional hybrid. Examples of this style would be the Trek FX series, Cannondale's Road Warrior, Kona's Dew, and Jamis's Coda. Trek and Cannondale do make their diamond frame bikes in 13 inch frames, while the Kona and Jamis bikes are a little bigger.